South African jazz resources
Gallery: Keeping Time, 1964-1974: Cape Town jazz by Ian Bruce Huntley (370 images)
Description: A stunning collection of images of jazz musicians and performances from 1964-1974, including narrations for each. A must see.
Playlist: SA Jazz: 10 Songs to Get You Started
Description: Digging into the rich history of SA jazz can be overwhelming. This playlist provides an accessible starting point for those looking to learn more about the country's music history and current happenings.
Links:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/za/playlist/sa-jazz-10-songs-to-get-you-started/pl.u-GgA5ZkZTZ9a978Vsi=0f6b4905c6e948a9
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LKyyN7vOLra5tP0qXwddI?si=0f6b4905c6e948a9
Documentary: A Brother with Perfect Timing (Chris Austin, 1986)
Description: Abdullah Ibrahim discusses his career and some of his songs, in the context South Africa’s apartheid regime and artists going into exile to find safety and sustainable work. Includes interviews with him, as well as live clips and other scenes.
Duration: 91 mins
Documentary: Casa De la Musica (Jonathan De Vries, 2003)
Description: A film about a trip that cultural historian Vincent Kolbe and legendary saxophonist Robbie Jansen took to Havana to explore the cultural and musical links between South Africa and Cuba. The film won the Best South African Film award at the fifth Annual Encounters South African Documentary Film Festival in 2003.
Duration: 35 mins
Documentary: The Jazzanians USA Trip (1988)
Description: A short documentary profiling the Jazzanians on their trip to the US in 1988.
The Jazzanians were a legendary multi-racial group from South Africa. They played together in the 1980s while all being enrolled in the first tertiary jazz program in South Africa at UKZN, under the tutelage of Darius Brubeck.
Duration: 12 mins
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V6B8XvxX_c&pp=ygUTamF6emFuaWFucyB1c2EgdHJpcA%3D%3D
Live performances: House on the Hill Sessions
Description: House on the Hill is a recording that started filiming live performances for their YouTube channel in 2020.
The intimate studio in Sophiatown has hosted some of South Africa's finest musicians, including Khaya Mahlangu, Thandi Ntuli, Mac Mackenzie, Bheki Khoza, and others.
A great way to get into South African jazz!